City To Set Hearing On Code Board Plan

ST. CLOUD — An ordinance that would establish a citizens board with the power to levy fines for code violations will move closer to reality today when the city council sets a public hearing.

The code enforcement board, which would be made up of seven residents appointed by the city council, would enforce rules governing everything from building codes and advertising signs to zoning and parking regulations. The board would have the power to levy fines of up to $250 a day and its decisions could be appealed only to the circuit court.

Under the ordinance's provisions, the board would include an architect, a business person, an engineer, a general contractor, a subcontractor and a Realtor. Members would serve staggered three-year terms.

The ordinance, written by the city staff, was praised by councilmen in a workshop as a remedy that is long overdue. Mayor Bob Renick said the board would ''give the residents more say in how their codes are enforced and give the people a more neutral board.''